Brown, Stephen L; Hope-Stone, Laura; Hussain, Rumana N; Heimann, Heinrich; Van der Voort, Nicola; Cherry, M. Gemma

Author(s)

Brown, Stephen L

Hope-Stone, Laura

Hussain, Rumana N

Heimann, Heinrich

Van der Voort, Nicola

Cherry, M. Gemma

Publication Date

2023-09-26

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Phantom eye symptoms (PES), particularly phantom visual sensations (PVS) and phantom eye pain (PEP), are common in enucleated patients and can lead to psychological distress. Current cross-sectional studies cannot examine the temporal course of symptoms, nor can they identify dynamic risk factors or consequences of PES.METHODS: Cohort study of 105 enucleated uveal melanoma patients returning self-report questionnaires, within 4 weeks of diagnosis and 6-, 12- and 24-months post-treatment. Questionnaires measuring PVS and PEP symptoms in the week prior to completion, pain severity, Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale scores and the Functional Assessment of Cancer Therapy scale (FACT-G) measuring quality of life.RESULTS: PVS and PEP emerged after 6 months, were relatively stable over the study and did not remit. PVS showed 6-, 12- and 24-month prevalence rates of 44.6%, 48.2% and 30.2%, and PEP 16.1%, 18.4% and 17.5% respectively. PVS were generally elementary, with only 10–15% of the total cohort experiencing complex sensations. PEP was generally neither prolonged nor intense, except in a small proportion. PVS and PEP were showed moderate associations but did not predict each other prospectively. Anxiety within 4 weeks of diagnosis was a risk factor for the initiation of PEP. Neither PVS nor PEP prospectively predicted anxiety, depression or quality of life.CONCLUSIONS: PES were prevalent and non-remitting, beginning within 6 months of enucleation. PVS and PEP may not represent symptoms of a coherent syndrome. We discuss fndings with reference to theories of phantom sensations, and directions for clinical practise and research.

Citation

Eye, p. 1-7

ISSN

1476-5454

0950-222X

Pubmed ID

37752341

Link

https://hdl.handle.net/1959.11/56450

Publisher

Nature Publishing Group

Rights

Attribution 4.0 International

Title

Prevalence, temporal course and risk factors for phantom eye symptoms in uveal melanoma

Type of document

Journal Article

Entity Type

Publication

Author(s)	Brown, Stephen L Hope-Stone, Laura Hussain, Rumana N Heimann, Heinrich Van der Voort, Nicola Cherry, M. Gemma
Publication Date	2023-09-26
Abstract	<p><b>BACKGROUND:</b> Phantom eye symptoms (PES), particularly phantom visual sensations (PVS) and phantom eye pain (PEP), are common in enucleated patients and can lead to psychological distress. Current cross-sectional studies cannot examine the temporal course of symptoms, nor can they identify dynamic risk factors or consequences of PES.</p><p><b>METHODS:</b> Cohort study of 105 enucleated uveal melanoma patients returning self-report questionnaires, within 4 weeks of diagnosis and 6-, 12- and 24-months post-treatment. Questionnaires measuring PVS and PEP symptoms in the week prior to completion, pain severity, Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale scores and the Functional Assessment of Cancer Therapy scale (FACT-G) measuring quality of life.</p><p><b>RESULTS:</b> PVS and PEP emerged after 6 months, were relatively stable over the study and did not remit. PVS showed 6-, 12- and 24-month prevalence rates of 44.6%, 48.2% and 30.2%, and PEP 16.1%, 18.4% and 17.5% respectively. PVS were generally elementary, with only 10–15% of the total cohort experiencing complex sensations. PEP was generally neither prolonged nor intense, except in a small proportion. PVS and PEP were showed moderate associations but did not predict each other prospectively. Anxiety within 4 weeks of diagnosis was a risk factor for the initiation of PEP. Neither PVS nor PEP prospectively predicted anxiety, depression or quality of life.</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS:</b> PES were prevalent and non-remitting, beginning within 6 months of enucleation. PVS and PEP may not represent symptoms of a coherent syndrome. We discuss fndings with reference to theories of phantom sensations, and directions for clinical practise and research.</p>
Citation	Eye, p. 1-7
ISSN	1476-5454 0950-222X
Pubmed ID	37752341
Link	https://hdl.handle.net/1959.11/56450
Publisher	Nature Publishing Group
Rights	Attribution 4.0 International
Title	Prevalence, temporal course and risk factors for phantom eye symptoms in uveal melanoma
Type of document	Journal Article
Entity Type	Publication

Prevalence, temporal course and risk factors for phantom eye symptoms in uveal melanoma

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